The Invention of Wings

A Novel

De: Sue Monk Kidd

Narrado por: Jenna Lamia, Adepero Oduye, Sue Monk Kidd

From the celebrated author of The Secret Life of Bees, a magnificent novel about two unforgettable American women.

Writing at the height of her narrative and imaginative gifts, Sue Monk Kidd presents a masterpiece of hope, daring, the quest for freedom, and the desire to have a voice in the world - and it is now the newest Oprah’s Book Club 2.0 selection.

Hetty “Handful” Grimke, an urban slave in early nineteenth century Charleston, yearns for life beyond the suffocating walls that enclose her within the wealthy Grimke household. The Grimke’s daughter, Sarah, has known from an early age she is meant to do something large in the world, but she is hemmed in by the limits imposed on women.

Kidd’s sweeping novel is set in motion on Sarah’s eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership of ten year old Handful, who is to be her handmaid. We follow their remarkable journeys over the next thirty five years, as both strive for a life of their own, dramatically shaping each other’s destinies and forming a complex relationship marked by guilt, defiance, estrangement and the uneasy ways of love.

As the stories build to a riveting climax, Handful will endure loss and sorrow, finding courage and a sense of self in the process. Sarah will experience crushed hopes, betrayal, unrequited love, and ostracism before leaving Charleston to find her place alongside her fearless younger sister, Angelina, as one of the early pioneers in the abolition and women’s rights movements.

Inspired by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke, Kidd goes beyond the record to flesh out the rich interior lives of all of her characters, both real and invented, including Handful’s cunning mother, Charlotte, who courts danger in her search for something better.

This exquisitely written novel is a triumph of storytelling that looks with unswerving eyes at a devastating wound in American history, through women whose struggles for liberation, empowerment, and expression will leave no reader unmoved.

©2014 Sue Monk Kidd (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A remarkable novel that heightened my sense of what it meant to be a woman - slave or free... a conversation changer.” (Oprah Winfrey, O, The Oprah Magazine)

“Exhilarating...powerful...By humanizing these formidable women, The Invention of Wings furthers our essential understanding of what has happened among us as Americans - and why it still matters.” (The Washington Post)

“A textured masterpiece, quietly yet powerfully poking our consciences and our consciousness... leaves us feeling uplifted and hopeful.” (NPR)

A Pleasure Through and Through

I was hesitant to listen to this book because I have read so many books exploring the tragedies of slavery and I needed something uplifting but because I enjoyed Sue Monk Kidd's, "The Life Of Bees", I gave it a try. I was so glad I did. This book is rich in history, partiularly women's history, offering the reader a chance to be proud of the efforts made by some of the Southern women daring to work on the cause of freeing the slaves. Beyond the history of this book, the story line is gripping, insightful and beautifully written using prose that concisely carries the reader into the world of the characters and helps explore the depth of sadness of the slaves' lives while also exploring the complex relationships between the two races of women who lived side-by-side. I listened to this book while out walking and found myself adding miles to my walk so that I could stay in the beauty of the pages. At the end of this well done narration, Sue Monk Kidd speaks about the history of her writing this book and of the characters involved. Beautifully Done.

Depressing and beautifully written

This is a lovely story - If you like feeling helpless, frustrated and terribly saddened by what was likely a relatively standard set of occurrences for slave women during the pre-Abolition era. Based very loosely on a couple of real historical figures, the real heroes are Hetty and Charlotte, the fictional characters who just want to be treated like human beings and experience a normal life, but skin color, geography and convention of the times make that tragically impossible. The deaths of a few characters (I don't want to give anything away, so pardon the lack of detail), will leave you teary eyed, if not outright crying. The writing is artistic and beautiful and the narration from the two separate perspectives make me so glad that I downloaded the audio version instead of the printed one.

A great, haunting story

This book reveals the lives and mindsets of house slaves in early 1800s Charleston. Also: Its enduring (and endearing) characters were pioneers in the antislavery and women's rights movements. The main characters, the Grimke sisters, are based on real people. But this isn't just history; it is elegant, memorable literature.

Absolutely WONDERFUL!

This is one of those stories I could listen to again. Which is surprising to me, as I rarely read a book twice. I was thoroughly engrossed in the lives of Sarah and Handful. The Invention of Wings is about Sarah Grimke, a southern young woman, and a slave girl, Handful. Sarah, who at an early age is against slavery, and is given Handful for her birthday. Reading this book brought out many emotions in me. I found myself smiling, angry and sad. Sue Kidd writes a wonderful novel.

fiction based on history - read and learn

two girls grow up together in pre civil war south, one the owner, one the slave.

GREAT NARRATION

kept me going through the whole book
loved the narration
great detail
brought mixed emotions to surface. will look for more from this author

Loved it!

Beautifully written! I couldn't stop listening! I loved the characters and the fiction/non-fiction tanglement.

High relevance in today’s world

Remarkable intertwining of biographical and fictional stories with feeling and significance.
Very much enjoyed this book.
Please “Get your feet off of our necks!”

Loved It

I loved The Invention of Wings. I loved the Story, the characters and I loved the narrator. I was sorry it had to end and want to learn more! Don't miss this book!

Excellent listening!!!!

Where does The Invention of Wings rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right at the top!!!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Invention of Wings?

When Charlotte was strapped to the tree with one leg in the air.

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The passion of the story always appears more dramatic when being read to me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but impossible to do!!!

Any additional comments?

I believe the narrators to be excellent in their delivery and so incredibly believable I almost am right there living their lives with them. What a great story!!!
Applause to Sue Monk Kidd!!!